The Ambassador of the Federal Republic of

Nigeria to France, Dr Modupe Irele, on Tuesday announced that France

invested about N150 billion(350 million euros) in Nigeria in 2017.

Irele told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the amount

was disbursed as soft loans to the Federal and State Governments,

as well as the private sector.

“It is estimated that in 2017 alone, France invested around 350

million Euros (about N150 billion) in Nigeria, mostly through soft

loans to both the Federal and State governments and the private

sector.

“Available records also state that at the end of the first quarter

of 2017, the trade volume between France and Nigeria stood at N668 .75

billion (1.9 billion euros).

“And in 2016, the volume of trade transacted between Nigeria and

France was ₦339.77 billion,’’ she said.

Irele said that France and Nigeria’s economic relations had over the

past 100 years been dominated by businesses in oil and gas,

construction and other enterprises.

According to her, Nigeria remains France’s first trading partner in

sub-Saharan Africa.

The Ambassador said that more French companies and businesses were

prepared to take advantage of the nation’s ongoing initiatives at enhancing

the Ease of Doing in Nigeria, for foreign investors.

“The French, like many other business people, are showing interest in

the drive to improve the ease of doing business in Nigeria and welcome

the policies as positive developments.

“The over 100 years plus of Franco/Nigeria economic relations,

have largely been dominated by big businesses in oil and gas,

construction and others.

“However, we are witnessing a significant shift of interest to areas,

including the agro-allied industry, SMEs, renewable energy, technology

and start-ups, among others,’’ she said.

Irele said that she was currently working at increasing socio-cultural

exchanges between France and Nigeria, as well as expanding mutually

beneficial economic ties between both countries.

The Nigerian Representative in France added that her embassy would

also exploit unexplored investment and export opportunities between

both countries.

“We are also encouraging cooperation in the areas of technology,

research and development, given the critical role technology is

playing in defining our today and tomorrow,’’ she added.

The trade volume between France and Nigeria hit 1.9 billion euros

(about N668 .75 billion) in the first quarter of 2017.